History
Shinhwa is perhaps the most popular Korean boy band that is still active until today. The six member group debuted on March 24, 1998 with their first "Hae Gyul Sah" performance at KM Music Tank. Shinhwa was formed under the management of SM Entertainment, and on July 2003 signed a new contract with a new company, Good! Entertainment.
From the day they debuted, Shinhwa has released six regular albums, one 'best' album, and one special album. Their song genre changes throughout their careers, creating a variation of music for fans and general K-pop listeners. Their past songs have included rock, rap, pop, ballad, and R&B. Another reason that has brought Shinhwa to their current fame is their ability to mesmerize the audience with their dance moves, which most of the time accompany their performance.
Shinhwa consists of six men with different talents:
- Eric Mun (Korean name: Mun Jung Hyuk 문정혁; 16 Feb 1979; English rap)
- Lee Min Woo (이민우; 28 Jul 1979; vocal)
- Kim Dong Wan (김동완; 21 Nov 1979; vocal)
- Shin Hye Sung (Real name: Jung Pil Kyo 정필교; 27 Nov 1979; lead vocal)
- Jun Jin (Real name: Park Choong Jae 박충재; 19 Aug 1980; rap & vocal)
- Andy Lee (Korean name: Lee Sun Ho 이선호; 21 Jan 1981; rap)
Hye Sung was the first to join the group, after being auditioned in the US. Then Andy was chosen as he was supposedly join another Korean boyband, H.O.T, with his friend and H.O.T ex-member Tony An, but was prohibited by his parents because he was too young at the time. Eric joined not long after Andy. Min Woo was discovered by SM scout when he was in a dance group, making him the fourth to join the group. Dong Wan joined after he saw a preview video of the existing Shinhwa members, and lastly Jun Jin made it as the final member through an audition introduced by his high school friend, Kangta (ex-member of H.O.T).
Group Styling
Shinhwa's debut style in 1998.(Eusha Eusha) | Shinhwa's 2nd album style in 1999.(T.O.P.) | Shinhwa's 3rd album style in 2000.(Only One) | Shinhwa's 4th album style in 2001.(Hey Come On!) | Shinhwa's 5th album style in 2002.(I Pray 4 U) | Shinhwa's 6th album style in 2003.(Wedding) |
Shinhwa's 7th (most recent) style in 2004.(Brand New) |
Group activities
Throughout the years with SM Entertainment, Shinhwa participated in the annual special album along with other singers under SM Entertainment, famously known as SMTown.
- 1999 Christmas in SMTOWN
- 2000 Winter Vacation in SMTOWN
- 2001 Winter Vacation in SMTOWN
- 2002 Summer Vacation in SMTOWN
- 2002 Winter Vacation in SMTOWN
- 2003 Summer Vacation in SMTOWN
The group has held 3 main concerts so far, including a tour around major cities of South Korea. In each concert, aside from performing as a group, each member is also given the chance to show his individual talent.
- 2001 1st Live Concert: The First Mythology
- 2003 2nd Live Concert: The Everlasting Mythology (20-23 April 2003)
- 2003 - 2004 Winter Story Tour (31 December 2003 - 14 February 2004)
Individual activities
After signing the contract with Good! Entertainment, the group members went to do solo activities individually. However, despite of all the rumours, they did not break up. Members Andy, Jun Jin, Eric and Dong Wan chose to do acting in different TV series and movie. Min Woo released his first solo album (choosing a different solo stage name: "M"), entitled "un-touch-able". While Hye Sung collaborated with his close friends Kangta and Lee Ji Hoon, forming a project group named "S". The vocal-oriented trio released a project album, "Fr.in.Cl".
Discography
- 1 - 해결사 (HaeGyeolSa): 1998.05.05 [SM Entertainment]
- 2 - T.O.P: 1999.04.04 [SM Entertainment]
- 3 - Only One: 2000.05 [SM Entertainment]
- 4 - Hey, Come On!: 2001.06.28 [SM Entertainment]
- Best Album - My Choice: 2002.01 [SM Entertainment]
- 5 - Perfect Man: 2002.03.29 [SM Entertainment]
- 6 - 너의 결혼식 (NeoWi GyeolHonSik) (Wedding): 2002.12.26 [SM Entertainment]
- Special - Winter Story: 2003.12.30 [Good Entertainment]
- 7 - Brand New: 2004.08.27 [Good Entertainment]
See also
External links
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